In the last six months, I became a new mom, went through postpartum depression, got laid off and then found a new job. Now joining a startup whose mission resonates well with me, but I’m worried about starting work again after not working for 6 months, and balancing startup grind with caring for the little one.
Thank you for this! My whole life has been about the in-between, and like you, my pause sparked a drive to act on ideas and share thoughts I’ve been holding onto for so long. I recently started my Substack (aptly named In Between Worlds) sharing reflections on navigating the in-between as a third culture kid who has had to continually reset. I’m so excited to continue on this journey with you!
Change is the only constant. And managing transitions in all aspects of life is really just what life is all about. We transition from day to night, winter to spring, young to old, teenager to parents to grandparents.
separately, "revolve" feels very circular. Is that intentional? I'm of the classically Eastern philosophy that many things in life (and history) come full circle. Curious whether this is a part of the framework. =)
You saw it clearly. The circular nature is intentional. It is meant to a circular process where we return the reflect and rebuild as time passes. Sometimes it takes more than one cycle for us to learn the lessons and as we grow, we can find new wisdom in the past experiences.
Also, revolve feels a little like it's stuck in place - a la revolving door. I'm sure you've probably already thought through this but wanted to call it out
Hey Deb - I've read your work for a long time, and have sent it to team members, colleagues, and friends. Your work and insights helps more than you probably even know - so wanted to thank you!
For me from the day I started my career at TCS in 1986 to moving to HK in 1987, starting my own business Cosmic in 1991, selling Cosmic to then NYSE listed company in 2001, losing everything in 2008 (Financial Tsunami), moving to China in 2010 to BPO, changin to SaaS in 2018, till now always in 'Transition' -new environment new domain new things to learn new 'politics' to overcome.... trying to build another startup for Social Impact (Gradagig) .....life is a journey. Started practicing Yoga from 2019 still long way to go.... trying to share my experience through -I am not a Monk I am just an average Joe....if I can change one person's life through that learning great.. if not never mind...
Thank you, Deb, for this!!! Your new book is sure to have a profound impact on people's lives - embracing uncertainty is truly an essential skill in today’s world!
My Revolve journey began about two years ago when baby number three (a girl!) was born. What I initially expected to be a two-month break - assuming I’d dislike the vast, empty, and uncertain space - turned into a two-year (and counting) pause. To my surprise, I’ve come to love the uncertainty and the new possibilities/opportunities and joy it has brought into my life every single day.
I feel incredibly lucky to have taken the time and space to reset and evolve. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder: what holds us back from doing this sooner? And why do we so often believe that uncertainty is so fearful?
I’m truly looking forward to exploring those questions and diving deeper into your framework in the new book!
This is the first Substack I’ve ever come across that truly hit home. I’m also in the middle of a transition—both in my career and in life—and it feels like there are so many decisions I need to make all at once. My parents are obsessively involved in my life, and because I’ve always been so open with my friends, a certain path has been carved out for me. One that, if I don’t follow, might disappoint everyone around me… and honestly, I fear I might disappoint myself too.
But lately, I’ve started to realize that the only path I should be walking is the one I choose for myself. Still, I’m scared. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I end up needing my parents to help me figure it out after all? Right now, I’m learning what it means to navigate independence at 26—and I can only hope it’s not too late.
I’m really glad I read your Substack. It made me feel seen, and I’m looking forward to following your roadmap. Here’s to this journey of transition and self-discovery.
I’m interested in the framework and would be happy to share feedback! Without saying too much I am a civil servant facing a lot of uncertainty and I am also the main earner for my family. If a transition is forced I might not have lots of time to reflect due to needing income so am trying to think through various possibilities - would be great to have something scaffolding to help corral thoughts.
The threat of change is sometimes even more daunting that change itself. The uncertainty puts us in suspended animation, feeling like we can move forward. I hope to get your feedback on the framework when I send it out next week.
Transitions are hard. And what better way to learn from those that have successfully navigated it.
Some food for thought - While it's great that there are so many executives that are fortunate to have the time to think, reset and evolve, there's a significant population of folks, for e.g. those on work visas, who will never have that luxury. Advice for those on a time crunch will be deeply appreciated.
This is an important point. I actually wrote the framework and questions so it can done in a few hours. You can revisit it from time to time after you complete the first pass, but the first draft will help you process what happened and find your way forward.
This really resonated as I am navigating the career change and trying to think through my real identify and value in career, in family, and in life. 🙏 Thank you for writing Revolve - look forward to seeing ( or sneakpeaking) the framework!
I think this is an important topic! I am interested in testing out your worksheet - my parents moved in with me a little over a year ago and now we are facing some mobility issues and I’m thinking through what’s next…
We had to rewrite a lot of the stories of our lives to make space for them, and now they are gone, I realized how blessed I am we had that time with them.
Deb, I know this is a place to Reset and Evolve, yet sometimes I just miss a parent who passed when she was just past what should have been her halfway mark in life. My heart goes out to you and your close ones for the passing of your 3 parents.
So excited to follow and read your book. This speaks deeply to me as I'm a founder moving through an acquisition and wind-down and facing a massive transition between what has been my reality (and my identity) and what is next. It's hard not to know the path forward when everything in the past years has been built on clear milestones and next steps. It's difficult to feel the complexity of feelings - guilt, sadness, joy, relief, curiousity - that come in waves from letting go. I feel like I'm waking up from a deep sleep and learning to live in the in-between. Thank you for writing Revolve and opening up a conversation for those of us in the midst of transitions.
In the last six months, I became a new mom, went through postpartum depression, got laid off and then found a new job. Now joining a startup whose mission resonates well with me, but I’m worried about starting work again after not working for 6 months, and balancing startup grind with caring for the little one.
Thank you for this! My whole life has been about the in-between, and like you, my pause sparked a drive to act on ideas and share thoughts I’ve been holding onto for so long. I recently started my Substack (aptly named In Between Worlds) sharing reflections on navigating the in-between as a third culture kid who has had to continually reset. I’m so excited to continue on this journey with you!
Can't wait to read your Substack. What an aptly named newsletter.
Change is the only constant. And managing transitions in all aspects of life is really just what life is all about. We transition from day to night, winter to spring, young to old, teenager to parents to grandparents.
separately, "revolve" feels very circular. Is that intentional? I'm of the classically Eastern philosophy that many things in life (and history) come full circle. Curious whether this is a part of the framework. =)
You saw it clearly. The circular nature is intentional. It is meant to a circular process where we return the reflect and rebuild as time passes. Sometimes it takes more than one cycle for us to learn the lessons and as we grow, we can find new wisdom in the past experiences.
Amazing! I came across this book "Life Is In The Transitions" recently and thought it could be relevant to the work you're doing: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Transitions-Mastering-Change-Any/dp/1101980516/ref=sr_1_1
Also, revolve feels a little like it's stuck in place - a la revolving door. I'm sure you've probably already thought through this but wanted to call it out
Like so many things in life, iteration is an important part of the process.
Hey Deb - I've read your work for a long time, and have sent it to team members, colleagues, and friends. Your work and insights helps more than you probably even know - so wanted to thank you!
Keen to learn Deb about Revolve.
For me from the day I started my career at TCS in 1986 to moving to HK in 1987, starting my own business Cosmic in 1991, selling Cosmic to then NYSE listed company in 2001, losing everything in 2008 (Financial Tsunami), moving to China in 2010 to BPO, changin to SaaS in 2018, till now always in 'Transition' -new environment new domain new things to learn new 'politics' to overcome.... trying to build another startup for Social Impact (Gradagig) .....life is a journey. Started practicing Yoga from 2019 still long way to go.... trying to share my experience through -I am not a Monk I am just an average Joe....if I can change one person's life through that learning great.. if not never mind...
Thank you, Deb, for this!!! Your new book is sure to have a profound impact on people's lives - embracing uncertainty is truly an essential skill in today’s world!
My Revolve journey began about two years ago when baby number three (a girl!) was born. What I initially expected to be a two-month break - assuming I’d dislike the vast, empty, and uncertain space - turned into a two-year (and counting) pause. To my surprise, I’ve come to love the uncertainty and the new possibilities/opportunities and joy it has brought into my life every single day.
I feel incredibly lucky to have taken the time and space to reset and evolve. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder: what holds us back from doing this sooner? And why do we so often believe that uncertainty is so fearful?
I’m truly looking forward to exploring those questions and diving deeper into your framework in the new book!
This is the first Substack I’ve ever come across that truly hit home. I’m also in the middle of a transition—both in my career and in life—and it feels like there are so many decisions I need to make all at once. My parents are obsessively involved in my life, and because I’ve always been so open with my friends, a certain path has been carved out for me. One that, if I don’t follow, might disappoint everyone around me… and honestly, I fear I might disappoint myself too.
But lately, I’ve started to realize that the only path I should be walking is the one I choose for myself. Still, I’m scared. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I end up needing my parents to help me figure it out after all? Right now, I’m learning what it means to navigate independence at 26—and I can only hope it’s not too late.
I’m really glad I read your Substack. It made me feel seen, and I’m looking forward to following your roadmap. Here’s to this journey of transition and self-discovery.
I’m interested in the framework and would be happy to share feedback! Without saying too much I am a civil servant facing a lot of uncertainty and I am also the main earner for my family. If a transition is forced I might not have lots of time to reflect due to needing income so am trying to think through various possibilities - would be great to have something scaffolding to help corral thoughts.
The threat of change is sometimes even more daunting that change itself. The uncertainty puts us in suspended animation, feeling like we can move forward. I hope to get your feedback on the framework when I send it out next week.
This is uncanny timing for me! I would love to see the framework and happy to share feedback and my experience!
Transitions are hard. And what better way to learn from those that have successfully navigated it.
Some food for thought - While it's great that there are so many executives that are fortunate to have the time to think, reset and evolve, there's a significant population of folks, for e.g. those on work visas, who will never have that luxury. Advice for those on a time crunch will be deeply appreciated.
This is an important point. I actually wrote the framework and questions so it can done in a few hours. You can revisit it from time to time after you complete the first pass, but the first draft will help you process what happened and find your way forward.
This really resonated as I am navigating the career change and trying to think through my real identify and value in career, in family, and in life. 🙏 Thank you for writing Revolve - look forward to seeing ( or sneakpeaking) the framework!
I think this is an important topic! I am interested in testing out your worksheet - my parents moved in with me a little over a year ago and now we are facing some mobility issues and I’m thinking through what’s next…
I wrote about the Sandwich Generation in 2023, when all three of our parents were still alive. They all passed within a year of this post. https://debliu.substack.com/p/the-sandwich-generation
We had to rewrite a lot of the stories of our lives to make space for them, and now they are gone, I realized how blessed I am we had that time with them.
Deb, I know this is a place to Reset and Evolve, yet sometimes I just miss a parent who passed when she was just past what should have been her halfway mark in life. My heart goes out to you and your close ones for the passing of your 3 parents.
So excited to follow and read your book. This speaks deeply to me as I'm a founder moving through an acquisition and wind-down and facing a massive transition between what has been my reality (and my identity) and what is next. It's hard not to know the path forward when everything in the past years has been built on clear milestones and next steps. It's difficult to feel the complexity of feelings - guilt, sadness, joy, relief, curiousity - that come in waves from letting go. I feel like I'm waking up from a deep sleep and learning to live in the in-between. Thank you for writing Revolve and opening up a conversation for those of us in the midst of transitions.
Very inspiring. Yes please I am looking forward to understand the framework.
> I have a draft worksheet ready if anyone in transition wants to use it and share feedback.
I would love to see the worksheet - I'm at a perfect transition period to be able to use it and provide feedback!
I will send everyone who requests it the framework for sure! Would love your thoughts and feedback.